The Albion Process™ is a simple process for treating refractory concentrates. The process was developed in 1994 at Core’s laboratories (then Hydrometallurgy Research Laboratories, owned by MIM/Glencore) and is patented worldwide by Glencore.

Simplicity in Leaching

The Albion Process™ is a combination of ultrafine grinding and oxidative leaching at atmospheric pressure. The feed to the Albion Process™ is refractory base or precious metal concentrates. The sulphides in the feed are oxidised and liberated, allowing the target metals to be recovered by conventional means.

All testwork programmes (globally) for the Albion Process™ are conducted at Core’s laboratories in Brisbane, Australia, under license from Glencore.

There are five Albion Process™ plants currently in operation. Three plants treat a zinc/lead sulphide concentrate and are located in Spain, Germany and Australia. Two Albion Process™ plants treat refractory gold concentrate – at the Las Lagunas operation (Dominican Republic) and at the Zod/Ararat operation (Armenia).